Understanding Suicide Attempt Method Choice in Adolescents

The main goal of this project is to conduct a mixed methods study of adolescents seen in an Emergency Department (ED), Inpatient Psychiatric Unit (IPU), or Inpatient Medical Unit (IMU) for a suicide attempt, to elicit information through quantitative assessments and qualitative semi-structured in depth interviews (IDI) about the preparatory thoughts, behaviors, and decisions about suicide attempt method choice. Assessments and IDIs will also be conducted with parents/caregivers to assess acceptability and feasibility of various means restrictions approaches to suicide prevention.

Findings from this mixed methods study will inform the development of a means restriction intervention for suicidal adolescents seen in an ED, IPU, or IMU, as well as their parents/caregivers. Additionally, findings will be used to improve suicide prevention knowledge by developing a means restriction education program for Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) clinicians and a suicide prevention and intervention course for SSW students.